Game board package



E. HAECKER GAME BOARD PACKAGE May 29, 1962 2 Sheet-Sheet'l Fi led Feb. 9, 1960 w m It W ||J| ||v|.i|.|||.i|| w a g J 6 2, 4 M. 3 U u u a m. a Aw RK |...Ml||||1||||||||.... E m

INVENTOR.

ERN EST HAECKER ATTORNEYS.

May 29, 1962 E. HAECKER 5 GAME BOARD PACKAGE Filed Feb. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

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United States Patent 9 i 3,636,705 GAIVIE BOARD PACKAGE Ernest Haecker, 467 N. 8th St., Philadelphia 23, Pa. Filed Feb. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 7,716 2 Claims. ((11. 20678) This invention relates to package constructions and particularly to a package for an article such as game board in which the article is presented to the viewer as an integral part of the package and in full view.

In packaging an article that is colorful and interesting in shape it is desirable to present the article to best advantage by displaying its attractive and distinctive features. An example of such an article is a dart board game, in which the dart board itself is a large disc with colorful rings and other shapes on its face. The darts are also colorful and have distinctive shapes that are associated with the game by all who know it. A package for such an article should desirably display the article itself to the view of a purchaser thereof and, at the same time, be serviceable for protecting the article and for handling it conveniently. Another desirable feature of such a package is that it (be self-contained and complete so that it may be carried by a purchaser without wrapping or tying. The surfaces of the package may lend themselves to colorful printing for identification of the article and of its manufacturer, for instructions or the like where desired all arranged in a suitable design. Also, the packaging should be sturdy and yet economical in manufacture, and be convenient to handle in assembling the package and article.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved package construction for a dart board game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package construction for displaying the features of an article attractively.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package construction that displays an article and offers sturdy protection therefor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package construction for displaying articles of different shapes and that is a complete package not requiring wrapping or tying.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved display package construction that is sturdy, serviceable, and economical.

In accordance with this invention, a package is formed of a unitary fiat cardboard member having a plurality of sections, with a first section thereof foldalble in back of a second section. At least one opening is formed through the second section and has the shape of an article to be packaged. A unitary transparent member of plastic material has a flat flange portion around a receptacle portion that is formed to the shape of the opening and that is adapted to project through said opening with the flange portion held between said sections of cardboard. Thereby the packaged article is supported securely in display position.

In the package of this invention arranged for a dart board game, a large opening is formed in the second section of the cardboard for the dart board itself together with a plurality of smaller elongated openings for the darts. The transparent receptacle member has corresponding receptacle portions formed therein. The portion of cardboard formed by cutting out the larger opening for the dart board can be printed to form an auxiliary dart board Which is readily packaged with the rest of the game between the sections of cardboard.

The foregoing and other objects and features of this invention as well as the invention itself may be best understood from the following description when read together with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a package embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view enlarged and in section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of elements of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of a blank which may be folded to the position of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a member of the package of FIG. 1.

In the drawing, corresponding parts are referenced throughout by the same numeral-s. The package includes as its principal elements a stiff cardboard member 10, a formed transparent receptacle member 12, and the article to be packaged shown (FIG. 5) as a dart board 14 and a plurality of darts 15.

The member 10 may be formed of corrugated cardboard, and it includes two leaf sections 16 and 18 and a center section 20. The leaf sections 16 and 18 are half the width of center section 20 and are foldable along scoring lines 15 and 17 (FIG. 6) to meet in back of the center section (FIG. 2). The center section has central openings 22 cut out which is approximately the same in size and shape as the circular dart board 14. A plurality of smaller elongated openings 24 have bulbous ends corresponding generally to the outline shape of the darts 15.

A C-shaped cut 26 forms a D-shaped flap 32 near the top central poortion of section 20. Notches 28 and 30 cut in the side edges of leaf sections near the top thereof meet when the leaf sections 16 and 18 are folded back to form a D-shaped opening that corresponds in shape and location to the flap 32, as shown in FIG. 2. Two cuts 34 extending upward from the top edge of the circular opening 22 form a trapezoidal-shaped flap 36.

The transparent receptacle member 12 is formed of a plastic material that is moldable or formable to the desired shape. The member 12 has a central receptacle portion 40 (FIGS. 3 and 7) that projects from a surrounding flat flange 42. The plastic member 12 may be fabricated from a thin sheet of plastic such as one of the thermoplastic resins which can be pressed into three dimensional shapes, such as by a forming press.

The receptacle 40 has a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the dart board 14. However, receptacle 4% may be slightly deeper than the thickness of the dart board 14 by about the thickness of the cardboard 10 as will be explained hereinafter. A receptacle portion 44 is formed at the upper edge of the receptacle -40 in triangular shape and tapering in depth as illustrated by the sectional view of FIG. 3. The receptacle 44- is shaped to receive a V-shaped suspension bail 46 hinged at the top of board 14.

A plurality of elongated receptacle portions 48 are also formed in the transparent member '12. These receptacles 48 have bulbous portions 50 at one end corresponding to the outline of the feathered portions of the darts 15. In cross-section, the bulbous portions 50 are each IVE-shaped (FIG. 4) with the central depression 52 forming two V-shaped grooves that receive two of the feathers of a dart 15. The remainder of each receptacle 48 is generally semi-circular in cross-section corresponding to the round shank of the dart 15. A tapered profile of the receptacle 48 corresponds to the profile of the dart from feather to point.

The piece of member 10 cut out to form opening 22 may be printed with the usual rings, numerals, and the like to form an auxiliary target member 60 that may be incorporated with the dart board 14 in the package.

In assembling the package (FIG. 5), the cardboard member is placed face down on a suitable surface such as, for example, an assembly jig, that offers support under the two upper corners and bottom edge of central section and that is open or recessed under the openings 22 and 24. The receptacles 40 and 48 of the transparent member 12 are inserted into the corresponding openings 22 and 24 in section 20. The receptacle portion 44 fits into the space formed by hinging the flap 36. The dart board 14 is fitted into the receptacle 419, face down, and the darts 15 placed in the receptacles 48 with the feathers securely received in the appropriately shaped portions 50. The target 60 is set down on the back of the dart board, and the depth of the receptacle 40 may be sufficient to receive that target at least in part.

The two leaves 16 and 18 are then folded together in back of the assembled dart board 14 and darts and are secured in place by a suitable fastening strip 62 (such as one with a pressure-sensitive adhesive) placed over their edges. The flap 32 is hinged back through the rnated notches 28, and secured in place by a fastener such as a staple 64 struck through the flap 32, the leaves 16 18 and section 20 to form a handle at the top of the package. A plurality of staples 66 are applied near the bottom edge of the package and fasten the leaves 16 and 18, the flanges 42 of member 12 and section 20 together.

The package thus formed is effective to display its contents in full. The construction of both the face and the periphery of the dart board disk 14 are visible, as are the darts 15. The variegated shapes of the packaged articles are present to view both in outlines and in depth. The colors and design of the articles are likewise displayed. Moreover, the three-dimensional character of the package receptacles lends itself to be touched as well as viewed. The outside faces of the cardboard member 10 and the receptacles and 48 may be printed in suitable attractive fashion consistent with the character of the packaged articles. Moreover all of the features of the article may be viewed, even such irregular features as the suspension bail 46 of the dart board.

The package is complete and self-contained even to the handle and no wrapping or tying is needed. The package articles are fully protected even though on display and are firmly and securely seated in their receptacles. The receptacle member 12, in turn, is firmly fastened together with the cardboard member 10 so that there are no loose elements.

The package is generally inexpensive in the elements thereof and in their fabrication. Moreover, the package is convenient to assemble. Once assembled, a sturdy, easily handled and stored package is furnished.

Various modifications are within the purview of this invention and will occur to those skilled in the art. The foregoing presentation of a preferred embodiment of this invention is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of this invention.

As a modification (not shown) the member 10 may be formed with two sections, the first similar to section 20 and the second corresponding to the leaves 16 and 18 combined. The second section would be folded in back of the first and fastened thereto along the edges. In other respects, the construction would be similar to that described above.

Thus, a new and improved package is provided by this invention. This package is effective in displaying an attractive article such as a dart board game and effective in protecting the article. The package is complete, serviccable and economical.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In combination with a dart game including a circular target board with a pivoted handle attached to the edge thereof and a plurality of feathered darts, a display package for said game comprising a unitary flat cardboard member having a first section with a circular opening and a plurality of elongated bulb shaped openings therethrough, the sizes and shapes of said openings being similar to those of said target and darts, said member having two sections foldable in back of said first section from opposite edges thereof, and a unitary transparent member of this formable material, said transparent member having a plurality of receptacles formed to the sizes and shapes of said openings, a tapered receptacle portion for said pivoted handle extending from the receptacle for said target board, and a flat flange surrounding said receptacles, the depth of said receptacles being greater than the thickness of said cardboard member so as to hold the contents thereof in display position when inserted in said opening with said flange resting against the back of said first section, said receptacles for said darts having bulbous portions with M-shaped cross-sections for holding the feathered portions of said darts, which thereby prevent rotation of said darts, said second sections being foldable to cover said transparent member and said receptacles inserted in said opening whereby said target board and darts are securely held in display position, said first section having a D-shaped flap cut therein centrally near the upper edge thereof, and a plurality of cuts therein extending from the upper edge of said circular opening, said second sections having notches in the edges thereof forming an opening to receive said flap as a handle when said second sections are folded in covering position.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said package xfurther comprises an auxiliary target formed from the piece of said first section removed to form the target board opening therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,324,771 Fiore July 20, 1943 2,547,871 Kirk Apr. 3, 1951 2,757,793 DeitZ Aug. 7, 1956 2,781,161 Adams Feb. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,124,150 France June 25, 1956 1,188,824 France Mar. 16, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,036,705 May 29, 1962 Ernest. Haecker It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patt the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and the. corrected below.

after "has" insert a 5 line 29 Column 2, line 28,

line 23, for

for "openings" read opening column 4, "this" read thin Signed and sealed this 11th day of September 1962.

SEAL) ittest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

